DILI, 24 November 2025 (TATOLI) – President and Nobel Peace Laureate, Jose Ramos-Horta, returned to Timor-Leste today following a successful Private visit to Italy and State Visit to the Holy See from 19th – 22nd November 2025.
The visit underscored Timor-Leste’s growing stature on the world stage, celebrating its journey from struggle to stable democracy and its role as a global voice for peace, reconciliation, and human dignity.
Key outcomes of the visit include:
➤ High-Level Engagement at the Vatican: The President was received in an Official Audience by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. President Ramos-Horta conveyed the profound faith and warm greetings of the Timorese people, reaffirming the deep and enduring spiritual bond between the nation and the Holy See. President also held productive meetings with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
➤ Prestigious Academic Honors in Italy: The President’s lifelong dedication to peace and democracy was recognized with two significant honors. President was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa in Political Science by the University of Messina, one of Italy’s most historic institutions founded in 1548 and conferred a Professorship by Link Campus University in Rome on “Conflict Resolution and Pathways to Peace.” This role formally recognizes President decades of expertise and provides a platform to inspire future generations. In his acceptance address, President Ramos-Horta outlined Timor-Leste’s extraordinary journey from conflict to a vibrant democracy, highlighting its prudent economic management and its historic reconciliation with Indonesia as a global model for peace. President also issued a powerful call for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council to make it more equitable and effective.
➤ Gesture of National Solidarity: In a move that captured the nation’s heart, President Ramos-Horta personally invited Mrs. Sofia Hornai dos Santos, a hardworking widow and street vendor, to join his delegation as a special guest for the Papal Audience. This act shone an international spotlight on the quiet dignity, sacrifice, and unwavering strength of Timorese families. Tia Sofia’s presence was personally commended by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, highlighting the President’s commitment to honoring everyday citizens.
➤ Strengthening Strategic Partnerships: The President held a strategic meeting with Professor Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, on November 20th, in Rome. They discussed shared values and explored avenues for collaboration in mediation and defending the world’s most vulnerable. The President also awarded the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste to PD. Dr. Andréas Josef Kreis, MD, a distinguished Swiss ophthalmologist, in recognition of his decades of exceptional and dedicated service to the health sector of Timor-Leste. The prestigious award was conferred to PD. Dr. Andréas Josef Kreis, under the Decree of the President of The Republic No.118 /2025, held at the Piazza della Repubblica in Rome, Italy.
➤ A Tribute to a Predecessor: Before concluding the visit in Italy on November 22nd, the President and delegation paid their respects to the grave of His Holiness Pope Francisco in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome.
Reflecting on the profound symbolism of the journey, President Ramos-Horta stated:
“This visit was more than diplomacy; it was a celebration of our nation’s soul. We stood in the halls of the Vatican and in ancient universities not just as a state, but as a people of faith and resilience. By inviting Tia Sofia, we honored every Timorese parent whose quiet sacrifices build our nation’s future. We showed the world that Timor-Leste’s foreign policy is not only about engaging powers but about empowering our people and sharing our hard-won lessons in peace.”
The visit successfully reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s strong international partnerships and its commitment to being a voice of conscience, compassion, and constructive dialogue in the global community.
TATOLI
